Chrysanthemum plant named Fortune

ABSTRACT

A chrysanthemum cultivar named Fortune particularly characterized as to uniqueness by the combined characteristics of flat capitulum form, decorative capitulum type, light golden yellow ray floret color, diameter across face of capitulum up to 70 mm., short plant height, spreading branching pattern, average natural season flowering date of September 12, and average flowering response period of seven (7) weeks in photoperiodic controlled short day programs.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., hereinafter referred to by thecultivar name Fortune.

Fortune is a product of a planned breeding program which had theobjective of creating cultivars with decorative capitulum type, shortplant height, spreading branching pattern, durable inflorescence, seven(7) week flowering response period, and yellow ray floret color underoutdoor natural season conditions.

Fortune was originated from a cross made in a controlled breedingprogram planned and executed by Grace H. Mack in New Canaan, Conn. inthe year 1975. The female parent was 959, a yellow decorative from across between M662×M617. The male parent was Patriot, a white decorativedisclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,897. Patriot was a cross betweenSnowbound×Pixie Cushion, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,454.

Fortune was discovered and selected as a flowering plant within theprogeny of the stated cross by Grace H. Mack in 1976 in an outdoorgarden in New Canaan, Conn. The first act of asexual reproduction ofFortune was accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from theinitial selection in 1977 in New Canaan, Conn. by Grace H. Mack.Subsequent asexual reproduction and horticultural examination inSalinas, Calif. by William E. Duffett of selected units initiated in1979 has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as hereindisclosed for Fortune are firmly fixed and are retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

Fortune has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variation inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length. Thefollowing observations, measurements, and comparisons describe plantsgrown in a field in Salinas, Calif.

Rooted cuttings were established in soil in one gallon containersmaintained outdoors under the natural temperature and day lengthprevailing during July through September. Single pinching was practicedwith all branches and buds retained.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Fortune which in combination distinguishthis chrysanthemum as a new and distinct cultivar:

(1) Flat capitulum form.

(2) Decorative capitulum type.

(3) Light golden yellow ray floret color.

(4) Diameter across face of capitulum up to 70 mm.

(5) Short plant height.

(6) Spreading branching pattern.

(7) Average natural season flowering date of September 12.

(8) Average flowering response period of seven (7) weeks inphotoperiodic controlled flowering programs.

The accompanying photographic drawings show typical inflorescence andfoliage characteristics of Fortune. Sheet 1 is a color photograph ofFortune. Sheet 2 is a black and white photograph showing three views ofinflorescence of Fortune. Sheet 3 is a black and white photographshowing the leaves of Fortune at three stages of growth (mature,intermediate, immature).

Of the many commercially available cultivars known to the presentinventors, the most similar existing cultivar in comparison to Fortuneis the cultivar Jackpot (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,277).

Reference is made to the attached Chart A which compares certaincharacteristics of Fortune with the same characteristics of Jackpot. Itwill be noted that in comparison to Jackpot, Fortune has a darker rayfloret color, earlier average natural flower date, and smaller diameteracross face of capitulum. The capitulum form, capitulum type, plantheight, branching pattern, and plant spread of Fortune are similar tothose of Jackpot.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Color Chart. The color values were determinedbetween 1:30 and 2:00 PM on Sept. 12, 1981 under 150 foot-candle lightintensity at Salinas, Calif.

Botanical classification: Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., cv Fortune

INFLORESCENCE

A. Capitulum:

form.--Flat.

Type.--Decorative.

Permanence.--3 To 4 weeks.

Diameter across face.--55 To 70 mm.

B. Corolla of ray florets:

Color (abaxial).--15B oxidizing to 15D.

Color (adaxial).--14B oxidizing to 14D.

C. Reproductive organs:

Androecium.--Present disc florets.

Gynoecium.--Present both ray and disc florets.

D. Disc florets

Color.--Approximately 9A.

PLANT

A. General appearance: Spreading branching pattern; short height.

B. Foliage:

Color (abaxial).--Approximately 146A.

Color (adaxial).--Approximately 147B.

                  CHART A                                                         ______________________________________                                        COMPARISON OF FORTUNE AND JACKPOT                                             ______________________________________                                                                        AVERAGE                                                RAY       CAPITULUM    NATURAL                                                FLORET    FORM AND     SEASON                                        CULTIVAR COLOR     TYPE         FLOWER DATE                                   ______________________________________                                        FORTUNE  LIGHT     FLAT         SEPTEMBER 12                                           GOLDEN    DECORATIVE                                                          YELLOW                                                               JACKPOT  YELLOW    FLAT         SEPTEMBER 20                                                     DECORATIVE                                                 ______________________________________                                                                         DIAMETER                                                        BRANCHING     ACROSS                                                PLANT     PATTERN AND   FACE OF                                      CULTIVAR HEIGHT    SPREAD        CAPITULUM                                    ______________________________________                                        FORTUNE  SHORT     SPREADING     55 to 70 mm.                                 JACKPOT  SHORT     SPREADING     50 to 75 mm.                                 ______________________________________                                        COMPARISONS MADE OF PLANTS GROWN UNDER                                        NATURAL SEASON OUTDOOR FIELD CONDITIONS IN                                    SALINAS, CALIFORNIA                                                       

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum morifolium,Ramat., plant known by the name Fortune and particularly characterizedas to uniqueness by the combined characteristics of flat capitulum form,decorative capitulum type, light golden yellow ray floret color,diameter across face of capitulum up to 70 mm., short plant height,spreading branching pattern, average natural season flowering date ofSeptember 12, and average flowering response period of seven (7) weeksin photoperiodic controlled short day programs.